Northboro church opposes Worcester museum's support of gay community

Worcester Art Museum's recent public support of the gay and lesbian community has led one area Catholic institution to no longer support the century-old institution. “We're simply not going to support them institutionally as in the past. We're just following the lead of the diocese on that,” said the Rev. Stephen M. Gemme, pastor at St. Bernadette Parish in Northboro.

Worcester Art Museum's recent public support of the gay and lesbian community has led one area Catholic institution to no longer support the century-old institution.

On June 26, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans the federal government's recognition of same-sex marriages, unconstitutional, the Worcester Art Museum congratulated the gay and lesbian community on its Facebook and Twitter pages. The museum also offered to host weddings for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

“We're simply not going to support them institutionally as in the past. We're just following the lead of the diocese on that,” said the Rev. Stephen M. Gemme, pastor at St. Bernadette Parish in Northboro.

Rev. Gemme did not say how the church has supported the museum in the past. The parish also operates a pre-kindergarten through Grade 8 grade school.

Adam Reed Rozan, the art museum's director of audience engagement, said St. Bernadette is not a member of the museum. He said the feedback from the post has been extremely positive. The museum, he said, uses social media, especially Facebook, to engage in dialogue with community members.

“The post was in an effort to join a national dialogue in a positive way,” Mr. Rozan said Monday.

The museum has always welcomed anyone who is interested in art. It also has a longstanding reputation as a popular wedding venue in Central Massachusetts, he said.

“We welcome all guests to experience the joy of coming together with friends and family amidst 51 centuries of art. In this way, our museum becomes not only a repository of historical objects, but part of peoples' personal narratives.”

Raymond Delisle, communications director for the Diocese of Worcester, said the diocese has not directed any Catholic church or organization to discontinue support of the Worcester Art Museum.

“We don't support gay marriage. But, we haven't said divest yourself of any organization,” he said. “I think any individual group will make their decision based on their plans and relationships.”

Several Catholic colleges in Worcester said they have no intentions of changing their relationships with the art museum, which serves as a valuable resource for students and faculty.

Ellen Ryder, director of public affairs at the College of the Holy Cross, said the college has run the library at the Worcester Art Museum since 2000.

“The Worcester Art Museum is an extraordinary cultural institution for our city, and is rightfully celebrated regionally as well as nationally,” she said in an email Monday. “Specifically, for Holy Cross, the art and offerings of the museum's galleries, library and its many programs represent a wonderful and valuable educational resource for our students and faculty.”

Lorraine U. Martinelle, spokeswoman for Assumption College, said the school continues to have an enhanced membership with the WAM, which allows art history students and faculty greater access to the museum's collections.

“As a longtime partner and supporter of Worcester Art Museum, Assumption College respects the museum's opinion of the recent Supreme Court decision,” Ms. Martinelle said. “Assumption is a Catholic institution of higher learning, however, and the court's decision does not reflect the teachings, mission and values of the Catholic Church, which the college espouses.”

Paula L. Green, spokeswoman at Anna Maria College, said school officials don't see this as a relevant issue.

“Our relationship with the WAM is related to our distinctive and historically strong art program. It helps us to provide access to our students to pursue their studies,” she said.

The Rev. Chester J. Misiewicz, pastor at Blessed Sacrament on Pleasant Street, was surprised to hear about the action taken by St. Bernadette. He said he has no problem with the museum hosting gay and lesbian civil marriages and the more than 600-family parish will continue to support the WAM.

“We encourage people to go there on a regular basis to admire the wonderful treasures on display there. What a tremendous community resource it is for us,” Rev. Misiewicz said.

Laura J. Farnsworth, director of Greater Worcester Parents, Families, Friends and Allies of Gays (PFLAG), said she thinks it's horrible that St. Bernadette has taken the position it has. She said it's important that young people know that they are made the way God intended them to be and that they are loved.

“It's kind of outrageous that the church could openly take that stance against equality,” she said. “I often wonder what is it going to take for them to truly repent and become the Christians they deem themselves to be.”

Contact Elaine Thompson at ethompson@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @EThompsonTG

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